Growing up or as many call it, ‘adulting’ has never been easy. We all have a story to tell given a chance. When you meet her, Gloria Gathogo, a Lapid Leader, as beautiful and confident as she is, with her ‘four eyes,’ you would think her life has been smoother than your favorite milkshake at Chicken house, Nairobi. On the contrary, Gloria wishes life came with a warning sign, you know like those “Danger Ahead” road signs on your left hand side.

Having completed the first Lapid Experience pillar, she clearly understands the power of storytelling. So unlike the journalist I am, I let her tell her own story.

“Looking back, from not being the brightest kid in school, being bullied, growing up in a single parent home, missing school because of school fees, barely surviving school of Architecture (or as we called it ‘Architorture’) to having to face all the trauma, overcoming fears and mindsets, accepting myself just a I am, it truly has been a bumpy ride. Not discrediting the wonderful times, I can’t help but wonder if a warning sign would have made it easier.”

Did she just say she was dumb yet did architecture? Okay, I bet I am also confused.

“Looking back, my grandfather’s words, ‘Rough waters make smooth stones and people like smooth stones,’ ring true to me. When he shared this, I was confused and didn’t understand, but now I do.

Many times I wanted to give up and not care at all, and at times I was actually at my lowest but I still crawled, and lifted myself up. Try to be better, try to understand. My greatest achievement is that I never gave up through it all,” Said Gathogo, tearfully.

“Through the heartache, tears, loneliness, pain, and the disappointments, I got up everyday and showed up. Afraid, uncertain, confused; I never gave up!”

She really can get emotional, right?

“Holding to the promise in Philippians 1:6 (TPT) ‘I pray with great faith for you, because I’m fully convinced that the One who began this gracious work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ!’

This, Nicodemus,  gives me hope to this very day that no matter what I face, I am sure I shall overcome; one way or another. Having full confidence that God never let me down, and never will He. Knowing that He is working all things for my good.”

I couldn’t help but give her a warm hug, tap her in the back and say, “Congratulations Gloria, this far you made it!”

This is the story of Gloria Gathogo, a Lapid lead marketplace student, as told by her to you through me.

 

Yours truly, Nicodemus Muriuki.

Digital Marketing Associate, Lapid Leaders Africa.